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Councilmember Cook suggested that they eliminate franchise fees as a funding source for these <br />two positions. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he was not in favor of adding additional staff at this time because staff <br />just gave the Council a whole list of budget cuts that impact services to the citizens of Ramsey, <br />which is their number one priority. He inquired as to how much fees the City is going to collect <br />on the Town Center development from now until the first of the year. He stated that if they are <br />going to hire people right now when they are cutting basic service, what are the residents of <br />Ramsey going to think. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen replied that if the salaries are being paid for by the Town Center <br />developers they are not taking funds from somewhere else. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec replied that if the positions are truly paid for by Ramsey Town Center LLC then <br />he would not have a problem with adding the two new positions. <br /> <br />Councihnember Cook stated that it is irresponsible for the City to allow a development to go in if <br />they don't have adequate staff to work with the developer. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that the Mayor's points were well taken, but the City is trying to <br />generate the dollars from the project and if they don't have the proper staff in place they can't <br />generate the dollars. They also risk making mistakes on the project if they lack the necessary <br />staff. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated that proceeding with the Town Center project will assure the City <br />that they don't have future revenue problems. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen recommended that the Council direct staff to negotiate with Ramsey <br />Town Center LLC to provide the City with another deposit so that they are assured there will be <br />adequate funds to cover the two new positions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook noted that it will probably take three months to get someone hired and <br />they may be already breaking ground on the Town Center. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman noted that the City does already have an escrow in place for Ramsey <br />Town Center, LLC. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec inquired if the Memorandum of Understanding was signed by both parties. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman replied yes. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he does not want to be caught with $100,000 worth of salaries then not <br />have the funding for the positions. <br /> <br />City Council/May 13, 2003 <br />Page 23 of 29 <br /> <br /> <br />